Jack Stephens et al

[thorpie the sinner]

Just a quick one for the real saints in depth officianados! In this current climate where multi million pound foreign signings are the norm, just wondered if any of our youth set up are ready to step up? I remember Stephens came with a glowing reputation, is he at a stage where he could force his way into MP's plans this year? Also any of the other crop with a genuine chance of playing a part like JWP last season? Genuinely interested, cmon saints itk ers!!

[Saint Charlie]

Calum Chambers is highly rated, Eng U19 player.

 

Used to be a midfielder but has switched to RB and could be cover to Clyne perhaps this season.

 

Jordan Turnbull is a good CB also in the Eng U19s with Chambers.

[Lallana's Left Peg]

CB is the hardest position to break through as a youth player. Very hard to ease players into the first team in that position.

 

There are lots of players the club has high hopes for, but first team football in the Premier League is a little far away right now for most of them. I think the plan this season is to make the U21 team even younger with the U18 standouts moving up as we've taken in 11 new scholars this season for the U18's.

 

In the future I would expect Matt Targett, Jack Stephens, Jordan Turnball, Omar Rowe, Dominic Gape, Harrison Reed, and Ryan Seager to have made professional first team appearances for us (or more than they already have in the case of Stephens). Maybe Jason McCarthy as well but I can't work him out at the moment (outstanding leadership and competitiveness, but not sure about him with the ball). That is just my opinion on watching the kids over the last few years though.

[thorpie the sinner]

cheers

[Saint_clark]

Sam Gallagher came highly rated from Plymouth so I'm expecting something from him in the future.

[spyinthesky]

Just out of interest do many people on here watch the youngsters regularly and therefore take an informed view?

 

LLP makes a good point about breaking in as a young CB, the disciplines in this position (and GK) especially for youngsters are greater than elsewhere on the field

 

We had high hopes of Cranie and Lancashire but neither really made it although Mills did OK later in life as did Monk to some extent.

 

I saw Shaw play the year before last and thought he had talent but never would have imagined he would make such a quick step up into the Prem and the same applied to the young Oxo.

 

btw is Andy Robinson still with us?

 

He always impressed me but suffered a bit from injury and is now not a 'youngster'

[Papa Shango]

I wrote about youth team players recently

 

Keepers/Defenders: http://thesaintshub.com/201213youthreport.html

 

Midfielders/Attackers: http://thesaintshub.com/201213youthreport2.html

 

Always difficult to say which players will make it to the first team. I wouldn't say anyone is ready to step up imminently, but then again Luke Shaw hardly looked ready playing for the U21's at the start of last season (and the U18's the season before). There's plenty of talent there, but the more we progress, the harder it will be for the youngsters to break through. Seager looks very exciting, but could probably benefit from a full year in the U21 setup before making the jump to the first team. Pretty much agree with 'Lallana's Left Peg' in terms of the other names. Of the new scholars Josh Sims is a very skillful player and definitely one to look out for in the future.

[Andre]

Stephens did sign a new deal recently, so there's no reason why he can't get a chance this season... although Turnbull will have something to say about it. Personally I think they both deserve a chance, ideally together as they've played so often together.

 

Other than that, the rest of our youthies unfortunately aren't quite at the desired standard for Saints, although they should be Premier League standard.

[Toadhall Saint]

Thanks for the info chaps always good to get an honest opinion on how the young ones are doing - short term ok long term looking promising.